Best Slow-Cooker Soups and Stews

Make a meal that feeds a crowd with these satisfying slow-cooker soup and stew recipes. These recipes feature the best flavor combinations that really meld together and fully evolve when cooked low and slow. The best part about these recipes is that once you prep, you're done! Let the slow-cooker do the work and you'll have dinner ready as soon as you get home in the evening. What could be simpler than that?

Make a meal that feeds a crowd with these satisfying slow-cooker soup and stew recipes. These recipes feature the best flavor combinations that really meld together and fully evolve when cooked low and slow. The best part about these recipes is that once you prep, you're done! Let the slow-cooker do the work and you'll have dinner ready as soon as you get home in the evening. What could be simpler than that?

Slow Cooker Chicken, Bacon, and Potato Soup

This soup is perfect for ushering in fall: It's hearty enough for the beginning of soup season, yet brothy and veggie-packed so that it doesn't feel too heavy. Pair it with a slaw or kale side salad and crusty whole-grain bread for a light, satisfying dinner. This recipe is ideal for a weekend, when you can check on the slow cooker after just a few hours; though you won't be able to leave the soup unattended all day, this still offers the benefit of hands-free, fuss-free cooking. Either baby red, Yukon Gold, or fingerling potatoes will work well here, as they'll maintain their shape nicely during cooking.

Onion, Kale, Chickpea, and Chicken Soup

Few things beat a steaming bowl of veggie-packed chicken soup on a crisp autumn evening, and this one happens to be a perfect potion for the seasonal chills. You can leave the thyme sprigs in the broth (just ladle around them) so they'll keep releasing herbaceous goodness into any leftovers.

Sausage-and-Collard Greens Stew

Soulful Chicken Soup

Soulful Chicken Soup
RecipeNo dish is quite as soothing as a hearty bowl of chicken noodle soup. Slow cookers couldn't have made the road to comfort any easier: Simply toss in the ingredients, switch on, and then walk away. We love old-fashioned, wide egg noodles for this recipe. To make sure they aren't mushy and overcooked, don't leave them in the slow cooker any longer than 10 minutes.

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9 of 61Photo: Jennifer Causey

Slow Cooker Chicken Congee

The slow cooker does all the work in this comforting rice porridge, breaking down the rice with fragrant ginger and star anise and poaching the chicken until silky. A bit of chili oil is the vibrant kick this dish needs. You can also use Sriracha or a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Cilantro or baby spinach leaves can work in place of the watercress.

Smoky Ham and Split Pea Soup

Potatoes contribute starchiness and silky thickness, while sweet carrots and salty ham balance out the peas' light, earthy flavor. Leftovers fare well in the freezer, so say hello to your new favorite make-ahead soup. Garnish with parsley and additional pepper, if desired.

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12 of 61Photo: Eric Wolfinger

Black Garlic and Lentil Soup

For Bar Tartine in San Francisco, chef Nick Balla created this smoky, earthy soup as a tribute to his Hungarian-America father. Dried chiles, paprika sausage, hot paprika, and black garlic--regular garlic roasted for days until it turns sweet and jet black, with a licorice-like flavor--give the soup a rounded spiciness.

Mexican Stew with Garlicky Bread Crumbs

Mexican Stew with Garlicky Bread Crumbs
RecipePrep this stew before leaving for the day. Let the slow cooker do the work for you, and a delicious Mexican-inspired meal will be ready when you return. Serve stew topped with panko mixture and garnish with cilantro, if desired.

Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili

Curried Lentil-Tomato Soup

Curried Lentil-Tomato Soup RecipeIf it’s buried under bacon, then you know it’s got to be good. This is a yummy comfort food perfect for the winter months and appropriate for all members of your family.

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17 of 61Oxmoor House

Potato Soup

Potato Soup
RecipeThis classic soup gets a double hit of cheese--stirred into the soup and sprinkled over the top.

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18 of 61Oxmoor House

Posole

Posole RecipeYou'll love the aroma of cumin, oregano, and gently braised pork that will fill your home as the stew cooks.

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19 of 61Oxmoor House

Easy Brunswick Stew

Easy Brunswick Stew
RecipeThe secret is in the name of this recipe–it's so easy to make! Just combine all of the ingredients, set your slow cooker for 8 hours and serve this stew with your favorite side of bread.

Smoked Turkey-Lentil Soup

Smoked Turkey-Lentil Soup RecipeThe quintessential slow-cooker recipe, all you need to do for this soup is throw all the ingredients in the cooker and let it do the work.

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28 of 61Karry Hosford

Peasant Stew

Peasant Stew RecipeRaid your pantry for everyday canned goods to prepare this classic stew. And at just over 200 calories per serving, feel free to go back for seconds!

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Black Bean Soup with Shredded Pork

Black Bean Soup with Shredded Pork RecipeBudget-friendly black bean soup gets a makeover with the addition of tender pork. Have a garnish station ready with tons of toppings so that family members can customize their bowls.

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30 of 61Karen Steffens

Moroccan Vegetable Stew

Moroccan Vegetable Stew RecipeThis Moroccan stew recipe is rich in nuts and spices and sweetened with currants. Serve with couscous and a dollop of plain yogurt.

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31 of 61Photo: Oxmoor House

Vegetable-Beef Soup

Vegetable-Beef Soup RecipeThink your weeknights are too hectic for a home-cooked meal? Then you haven't tried this recipe. With a little chopping and emptying of cans and bags, dinner is served!

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32 of 61Photo: Oxmoor House

Thai-Style Pork Stew

Thai-Style Pork Stew RecipeTake your slow-cooker recipe collection to new heights with the introduction of Thai cuisine. Serve this stew with lime wedges for an extra burst of flavor.

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33 of 61Photo: Susie Cushner

Slow-Cooker Recipe: Smoky Pea Soup

Slow-Cooker Recipe: Smoky Pea Soup RecipeHam gives your average pea soup a savory twist that is prefect to enjoy as a simple, yet hearty meal. Add croutons for a crunchy bite, or bake a pan of cornbread to pair with this soup.

Curried Squash and Apple Soup

Curried Squash and Apple Soup RecipeThis soup celebrates two of autumn's favorite flavors: butternut squash and apples. It's also a great make-ahead meal, since it keeps in the fridge for up to four days and up to two months in the freezer.

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Pork-and-Hominy Stew

Pork-and-Hominy Stew RecipePork and hominy (a type of corn) are a classic flavor pairing, especially in soups and stews. This easy slow-cooker stew calls for only nine ingredients and costs less than $2 per serving.

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37 of 61Photo: Helen Dujardin; Styling: Mindi Shapiro-Levine

Sausage, Eggplant and Pepper Stew

Sausage, Eggplant and Pepper Stew
RecipeSausage, Eggplant and Pepper Stew requires only minutes of hands-on prep work. After that, simply turn on the slow-cooker, and a delicious meal awaits when you return.

Beef-and-Bean Chili

Beef-and-Bean Chili
RecipeThis classic red chili has chunks of stew meat and ground beef along with tomatoes, red beans, and spices. Fire-roasted tomatoes add a note of smokiness to the mix. If you can't find fire-roasted, use plain tomatoes and add a pinch of smoked paprika.

Slow Cooker French Onion Soup

Slow Cooker French Onion Soup
RecipeThe slow cooker completely eliminates the stirring part of caramelizing onions; it all goes happily unattended. Freeze the bag of soup in a bowl rather than laying it flat, so it will fit in the saucepan when it's time to thaw.

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44 of 61Oxmoor House

Caribbean Black Bean Soup

Caribbean Black Bean Soup RecipeA little of this spicy soup goes a long way, so it's best when served as an appetizer soup. If you want to decrease the heat, seed the jalapeños.

Mexican Stew

Mexican Stew
RecipeClassic posole, a delicious slow-simmered Mexican pork stew often reserved for special occasions, is typically a time-consuming labor of love. But this one gives you all the comfort and flavor of the old-world version made in your slow cooker.

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49 of 61Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Slow Cooker Cioppino

Slow Cooker Cioppino
RecipeSimmering the base of this rich stew in the slow cooker allows for ultimate flavor concentration. When you're almost ready to serve, add raw fish to poach quickly. A signature dish of the West Coast, cioppino can be made with a wide variety of fish and shellfish, so feel free to ­experiment with your favorites.

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50 of 61Photo: Kate Sears

Black Bean and Butternut Squash Chili

Black Bean and Butternut Squash Chili RecipeThis easy black bean and butternut squash chili will fill your kitchen with wonderful aromas while it simmers in the slow-cooker all day. Serve with cornbread and your favorite toppings.

Sausage-and-Bean Stew

Sausage-and-Bean Stew
RecipeThis dish is so easy: Just brown your favorite smoked sausage, toss the ingredients together, and let the slow cooker do the rest. All you need to round out the meal is a simple green salad and loaf of crusty bread.